by Mike Edwards
It should be obvious, but wasn’t to me early in my journey with God, that even if the Bible is inspired by God, our interpretations of the Bible are not inspired. It is rarely admitted that our interpretative views of God according to the Bible could be right or wrong. Some say God condemns gays according to the Bible, others interpret the same passages differently. Even if we could prove God inspired every word in the Bible (God controlling what writers thought and recorded), we should always question interpretations since biblical scholars interpret differently the same passages. Supposed inspired interpretations lead others away from God.
But when we don’t assume God inspired the Bible, interpretations are more likely to become discussions rather than definitive declarations about God.
Supposed inspired interpretations lead to violence
The challenge is many interpret their inspired Book as God being violent or advocating violence. This has led to imitating or justifying violence in the name of a perfect loving God. We can’t prove God controlled the writers’ thoughts to always understand God perfectly. We should always question if God really inspired the writers’ thoughts if contradictory of a loving God.
Many interpret the Quran or the Bible advocating killing Jews or condemning gays, because Allah or God supposedly approves such actions. Many don’t acknowledge their interpretation could be wrong. God supposedly orders Israel to commit hundreds of atrocities in the OT – “… put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys” (I Sam. 15:3). God’s possible justification of violence can lead to advocating capital punishment, blowing up abortion clinics, or unnecessary wars in the name of God.
Did God really “say” death for cursing, gathering sticks, etc.
When it comes to many of the laws, the OT claims God spoke these words (Exodus 20:1). Biblical writers rarely claim audible God-speak. “God said” recorded hundreds of times in the Bible is most likely a figure of speech expressing inner impressions or understandings about God – right or wrong. We can’t be sure the writers heard inner God’s voice correctly?
- Did God really mandate whoever curses their parents be put to death (Ex. 21:17)?
- Did God really mandate to death a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36)?
- Did God really require death for adultery (Lev 20:10)? That’s a lot of bodies today
- Did God really command whoever does work on the Sabbath be put to death (Ex 31:15)?
- Did God really command death for those who blaspheme the name of the Lord (Lev 24:16)?
See 9 Reasons To Not Trust The Bible’s Claims About God!
Inspired interpretations lead to wrong views of God
Supposed inspired interpretations give the wrong image of God, thus turning others away from God. Ancient literature subject to interpretation cannot be the definitive word on truth. The truth is biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about hell, women, gays and other moral issues. See here. See here. See here. Gays are often condemned, women’s leadership roles are limited despite their gifts, and infidels face a torturous afterlife – all declared to be true in God’s name. People often reject God because of such claims made about God.
We quit using our moral intuitions, therefore possible trusting wrong interpretations
Many who claim that God inspired all written in the Bible to be true about God suggests we are made in God’s image. (Gen 1:27) If God is good, this suggests God created us with an inborn sense of good and evil. Self-evident rights aren’t hidden in the Bible or any Book. Even the Bible suggests we aren’t morally clueless. We are encouraged to be perfect like God (Mt. 5:48) or follow God’s example. (Eph 5:1). When we don’t assume God inspired the Bible, we are more likely to use common moral sense when interpreting the Bible. I admit my views could be wrong.
What is the path forward?
The Bible still can inspire useful thinking about God. The Bible is God’s story beginning with Israel and culminating with the life of Jesus that we don’t possess in other documents. God may have inspired/encouraged the writers to write but didn’t necessarily approve of everything written about God. When reading the Bible, contemplate what a loving God is really like. Enjoy what God is trying to reveal to you about your Creator and how to treat others.
A Book must not replace our relationship with God and common moral sense. Questioning the Bible may lead to knowing God better! Interpretations about God’s love, that don’t match how you and most know you ought to love your neighbor, may be amiss. Consider how to go the extra mile. Consider what actions might possibly lead to reconciliation or change in hearts if others open. The Bible is valuable because it suggests handling challenges from a spiritual than human perspective. How can we live a life of love and treating others like we want to be treated?
See previous posts on the Bible: All Rants Against The Bible
Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like
Done with Religion 